Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1899 — SOLDIERS' APPRECIATION VOICED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SOLDIERS' APPRECIATION VOICED.

Studebaker Employe Soldiers in the Spanish American War Remember a Royal Act. FINE TESTIMONIAL PRESENTED. The Kindness of the Studebaker Manufacturing Company in Paying Their Employes Full Wages During Enlistment in the Late War the Motive for a Graceful Act on the Part of the Beneficiaries—A Hearty Acknowledgement is Given By Them.

An incident of rare occurrence took place in the office of the Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co. Tuesday morning. It was the manifestation of one of those gems of true sentiment that grow out of the intense feeling that exists in the hour of war, but that do not sparkle until peace is restored; just as the heliotrope gathers its perfume during the violence of the storm, but gives off that fragrance only to the calm, summer sun. Mr. John S. Johnston, in behalf of those of the employes of the Studebaker Bros. Mfg. Co., who served their country during the late war with Spain, presented to the company a handsome memorial in grateful remembrance of the generosity of the Studebaker Company for having continued them on the pay roll under full pay durtheir absence and for re-employ-ing them on their return. Last spring when the troops of this state were making read}’ to

mobilize at Indianapolis in response to the president’s call for volunteers there were a number among those whp had drilled with the South Bend company a great many times who were clouded with doubts as to whether it was duty to go or remain at home. To go seemed duty to country; to remain seemed duty to wife, to sister, to mother, to aged father; nqt to go seemed moral pain. The last time that they came together before leaving for the front the captain of the company read the following message: “The Board of Directors of the Studebaker Bros., Mfg. Co., at » special meeting called last evening, adopted the following resolution: Resolved, that under the present call of the President of the United States for the members of the National Guard to serve in the war with Spain, this compang will re-employ members who leave its employ to respond to said call, and while such employes are In actual service of the United States during the war, this company will continue the names of such employes on the pay roll at their present rate of daily earnings, and appropriate such pay to the support of the families of those who

are married and the dependents of tiiose who are single.” At that instant many of those in doubt felt the heavy irons of bondage break and drop. Home was cared for, and they felt free to follow the promptings of their noble love of country. From the last week in April till the first week in November, the full amount of each man’s pay who had enlisted was paid to his dependents. When the last dollar was paid, the whole amount aggregated between six and seven thousand dollars. The memorial is the work of Mr. L. Clarence Ball, and is embellished with apt coloring. Following is the letter written to Mr. Johnston by Col. George M. Studebaker in response to their expressions: “My Dear Sir:—We wish to thank you, and through you the other members of the 157th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers who left our employ last spring to shoulder the gun in defense of our country and for humanity’s cause, for the handsome memorial that

yo upresented us and for the kindly expressions of gratitude recorded thereon. As secretary of this company it becomes my privilege to inform you that at a meeting of the board of directors of this company, held on February 28, 1899, a resolution was unanimously adopted, voting to you the thanks of this company. This memorial is, indeed, tasteful and artistic; but not the least of its qualities is that it is born of the graceful sentiment of a score and four of men. of whom each one is an embodyment of that soul—satisfying ideal—an indusrous, courageous, bra v e and manly man. The sincerety of your expressions need not be further proved in the face of the fact of your unquenchable patriotism; for where there exists so deep and fervent a love of country as you have evidenced the other qualities of manliness, uprightness and charitjy. are necessarily present in an eminent degree. - Very sincerely yours. George M. Studebaker, Secretary Studebaker Bros. Mfg.. Co. -r-South Bend Charles A. Roberts of Rensselaer, handles ihe famous Studebaker wagons and.has a large stock on hand at all times. Give him a call.